Hi guys my day has been amazing so far, I will like to share with you the experience I had yesterday. I met this girl online we started chatting wow she was interesting, funny and beautiful too, after chatting for a 3 to 4 hours she told me a lot things about herself, she said she work at the "Center of Domestic Place " so we share ideas based on Sexual Assault and Domestic violence, So she told me a short story about a 6 years old boy that suffers from domestic violence, with her permission I decided to share the story with you guys, but before I share it I want you to know that,
Children who witness domestic violence in the home often believe that they are to blame, live in a constant state of fear and are 15 times more likely to be victims of child abuse. Close observation during an interaction can alert providers to the need for further investigation and intervention, such as dysfunctions in the physical, behavioral, emotional, and social areas of life, and can aid in early intervention and assistance for child victims.
FROM VICTIM TO SURVIVOR TO THRIVING TEENAGER
By the time Luke (not his real name) was 6 years old, he had lived beyond his years. He remembers some good times, such as going to his father’s work and playing in their inflatable pool, but he also remembers how terrible the fights were at home, and how scared and insecure he felt all the time. When the fights became violent, his father hit his mom. But sometimes the violence was directed at him, his older sister, or younger two siblings. His mom tried to leave once, but his father tracked her down and convinced her to come back. She wasn’t aware that there was help available to her, until one fight escalated so badly that Luke’s younger sister called 911 for fear their mother was going to be killed. Things changed after that. Shortly after the police, firemen, and ambulance arrived, their father was taken to jail, and they went to live with another family member. It was there that Luke's mom learned about Center for Domestic Peace and made arrangements for the family to stay at the shelter.
When asked about what he remembers about the shelter, Luke smiles and says it was a great place. His favorite place was the video game room. He recalls how he felt safe and how he was happy to see his mom and siblings doing better. Soon, they moved into the transitional housing at Second Step, where they lived for two full years. He says Second Step changed their lives and gave them a new path. Not only did this program provide safe and private housing, but it also provided art classes, day care, and classes on conflict resolution. He made great friends with the other residents and he started to flourish in his new life. At Second Step, his mom was able to seek counseling and go back to school so she could support the family.
When asked what he thinks life would have been like had they not escaped his father, he says without hesitation that their life would have been filled with violence. He says he probably would have turned to drugs, dropped out of school and maybe even ended up in jail. He misses his father in some ways, but he doesn’t miss being hurt.
Luke is now in 10th grade and is an exceptional athlete and a good student. These days he avoids fights because he doesn’t believe in violence, plays football for the pure athletics of the sport, and has no interest in drugs and troubled kids.
He recalls going with his mom while living at Second Step to help with a donation drive. He was amazed at the generosity of so many. He told his mom that someday, when he is married, he will volunteer with his wife and kids to help other abused women. Luke is determined to go to college and wants most of all to be a lawyer, so he can help other families in need. We believe he will.
EFFECTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ON CHILDREN
result from witnessing domestic violence in a home where one of their parents are abusing the other parent, plays a tremendous role on the well-being and developmental growth of children witnessing the violence. In 2009 in the Philippines, it was estimated that as many as 7 to 14 million children were exposed to domestic violence[1] with about 3.3 million children exposed to domestic violence in their homes every year.[2]
SYMPTOM CHILDREN MAY HAVE WHILE WITHNESSING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
1:Emotional symptoms
2:Anger
3:Depression
4:Behavioral symptoms....etc.
WAYS TO HELP
1:Arrange school age children to receive counseling from professionals at their school, often school counselors
2:Provide a safe environment that does not include violence in any form after a child has witnessed domestic violence.
3:Help children create a sense of safety by having scheduled routines, such as regular meals and homework times.
Thanks for reading guys
#SAY NO TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE